126 THE BIRDS OF BERKS AND BUCKS. 



first appearance of frost the Scoters and other ducks 

 arrive in small flocks, and a destructive sort of battue 

 takes place, in which all who can are induced to par- 

 ticipate with great eagerness. About Christmas, when 

 the Scoters have made their appearance, printed bills 

 are posted at Marseilles, Aix, and all the principal 

 places in the vicinity, stating the intended order of 

 attack upon the birds, and the day and hour at which 

 it is to take place. The mayors of two or three of the 

 principal places make the necessary arrangements ; on 

 the eve of the day fixed upon all the shooters are 

 divided into parties, and each has a boat, a pilot, and 

 a commander appointed. 



'The assemblage is large, filling the inns and the 

 lodgings to be had at private houses. In the morning, 

 at the sound of a drum, the embarkation takes place 

 on the lake named for the first attempt. The boats 

 filled with sportsmen form an extended circle around 

 the flocks of birds at one part of the lake ; the boats 

 then draw in, diminishing the circle by degrees till the 

 crews are within gunshot of the intended victims. 



' At a well-known and preconcerted signal, a par- 

 tial discharge takes place at the unfortunate birds 

 while swimming on the surface of the water. Many 

 are killed on the spot ; those which escape this first 

 fire attempt to save themselves by flight, when a 

 second discharge assails them in the air ; many more 

 fall, and with broken wings and loud cries are picked 

 up by the shooters, who divide the spoil, not without 



